Jerome Carter...another safety...

* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

Jerome Carter
S | (5'11", 228, 4.55) | FLORIDA STATE

Scouts Grade: 62

Flags: (M: MENTAL) Does not retain and learn the system Selected by: St. Louis Rams
Round: 4
Pick (Overall): 16(117)
View by: Round | Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History
You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.

Strengths: Hits fairly well and can be an intimidating presence over the middle. Possesses adequate bulk, is well-built and can line up in the box. Plays with a mean streak and is physical at the point of attack. Takes good angles to the ball and shows good range in run support. Has the athletic ability to slip blocks in space and will make plays in pursuit. Plays under control in space, wraps up upon contact and is a reliable open field tackler. Plays with a good motor and should make an immediate contribution on special teams.

Weaknesses: Lacks ideal recognition skills, takes too many false steps and is vulnerable to play action. Doesn't explode out of cuts, lacks ideal change-of-direction skills and teams shouldn't feel comfortable regularly leaving him on an island. Doesn't show a second gear when tracking the ball downfield and lacks ideal range. Lacks ideal upper body strength, doesn't use hands well and takes too long to shed blocks. Doesn't play with great discipline, is overaggressive and over pursues at times. Has had off-season shoulder surgery twice, sustained a season-ending knee injury in 2001 and durability is somewhat of a concern. Mental capacity a concern; scored a 13 on Wonderlic Test.

Overall: Carter provided adequate depth and contributed on special teams while playing in the first six games of his true freshman season in 2001 but he sustained a season-ending knee injury. He started 11 of the 14 games he played in during the 2002 season. Carter started 13 games in 2003, finishing the season with 78 tackles, five tackles-for-loss and a forced fumble. He also recorded two interceptions that year. Carter recoded 74 tackles, 5.5 tackles-for-loss, a forced fumble and one interception during his senior season in 2004. Carter has the tenacity, size and straight-line speed to develop into an effective run stuffer from the safety position in the NFL. However, he lacks ideal athletic ability and is a liability in deep zone coverage and man-to-man coverage versus slot receivers and some more athletic tight ends. Carter has a chance to develop into a backup that can contribute as an in-the-box safety in certain sub packages and he also has a good deal of upside as a cover-guy on special teams. However, his upside at safety is limited by his lack of athleticism and his lack of height will likely prevent a move to OLB. That's why he grades out as nothing more than a fifth round draft prospect.